Author: iamsfs

Aspen has a dress code no one prints, but everyone follows. It’s the place where a fur coat isn’t a statement so much as a uniform — worn to dinner at the Little Nell, to a fireside drink at Cloud Nine, walking the village after the lifts close. The fur is the easy part. The question is what goes with it. Here’s how the people who actually winter in Aspen build the wardrobe around it — and the one mistake that gives a first-timer away.

The one rule: fur is for the village, not the slopes

This is the tell. Real regulars never ski in fur — they ski in technical gear and save the fur for everything else: the walk to lunch, the après-ski scene, dinner, the late drink. A fur coat on a chairlift reads as a tourist; a fur coat at the bar at Ajax Tavern reads as someone who belongs. So think of your fur as your off-mountain wardrobe, and dress the rest of the trip around it.

Start with the layers underneath

A fur is warm enough that what goes under it can be light and refined rather than bulky. The Aspen base layer is quiet luxury: a fine-gauge cashmere turtleneck, a silk or merino thermal, tailored trousers or dark denim. The trick is that everything under the fur stays slim, so the coat drapes cleanly and does the talking. Save the chunky knits for the lodge; under a full-length mink or a lynx coat, less is more.

The accessories that finish the look

Cold and altitude make accessories functional as well as beautiful, which is exactly why Aspen is where they matter most.

• A fur hat or headband — the single most Aspen accessory there is. A fox fur headband keeps your ears warm and pulls the whole look together, and it travels far more easily than a second coat.
• Gloves — cashmere-lined leather, long enough to meet the sleeve. Function first; the mountains are not the place for thin fashion gloves.
• Oversized sunglasses — glacier glare is real, and dark oversized frames are the après-ski signature.
• A silk or cashmere scarf — for the walk from the car to the restaurant, and to soften a big fur collar.

Footwear: where a lot of people go wrong

Stilettos on ice end one way. The Aspen answer is a luxury shearling-lined boot or a sleek snow boot with real grip — something you can actually walk the village in, that still looks considered next to a fur. Keep the heels for the interiors that valet you to the door.

Day versus night: two different wardrobes

Daytime in Aspen is functional-luxury — base layers, a vest or a shorter fur, boots, sunglasses, moving between the mountain and long lunches. Evening is when the fur earns its keep: a full-length mink or a fur cape over something simple, and you’re dressed for anywhere the night goes. Packing one statement coat plus a more versatile piece covers the whole trip.

Which fur to actually bring

If you’re only bringing one, make it versatile: a fur vest layers over a sweater by day and under a coat at night, and it packs flat. If you’re bringing the statement piece, a full-length mink, fox or lynx is the classic Aspen coat — dramatic, genuinely warm, and photographs beautifully against snow. Not sure which fur handles the cold best? See our guide to the warmest furs for winter. And whatever you bring, store it properly when you’re home so it’s ready for next season.

Packing it: keep it simple

Fur doesn’t love being crushed, so it’s the one thing you carry rather than check when you can — on a padded hanger, or laid flat on top. Everything else compresses around it. The goal isn’t a huge suitcase; it’s a small, considered one built around a single beautiful coat.

The takeaway

Aspen style is quieter than people expect. The fur does the work; everything else — the cashmere, the boots, the fox headband, the sunglasses — just gets out of its way. Get that balance right and you’ll look less like you’re visiting and more like you never left.

Building your winter wardrobe around a fur that will last decades? Browse the collection, or get in touch and visit our West 30th Street showroom — we’ve been dressing New Yorkers for the mountains, and the city, since 1870.

A man’s fur coat is one of the few garments that still reads instantly as success. It’s also one of the most misunderstood purchases in menswear — most men buy their first fur with no idea which fur suits them, what silhouette works for their build, or what actually drives the price. This guide fixes that: how to choose a men’s fur coat, which furs suit which man, what fur coats for men actually cost, and how one should fit. Marc Kaufman Furs has been dressing men in fur in New York City’s fur district since 1870, and what follows is what we tell customers in the showroom.

Which fur is right for a man?

Fur type is the first decision, and it changes everything about how a coat wears, lasts, and reads.

• Mink — the benchmark. Lightweight for its warmth, naturally water-resistant, and durable enough to last decades. A men’s mink coat is the safe, timeless choice, and it’s what most men end up in. Explore men’s mink coats.
• Chinchilla — the flex. The softest, rarest fur in the world, with an unmistakable silver-grey depth. Chinchilla is what men buy when they already own mink and want something people notice. See men’s chinchilla.
• Sable — quiet money. The most prestigious fur made, and the most understated: silky, lightweight, and recognisable only to people who know. Browse sable.
• Fox — presence. Long-haired, plush, and dramatic. Fox reads bold rather than conservative, which is exactly why it dominates our men’s collection. See men’s fox coats and jackets.
• Lynx — the collector’s piece. Rare, snowy-white belly fur with soft dark spotting; unmistakable and exclusive. See lynx.

Still deciding between the two most common? Read mink vs. fox — what’s the difference, or which fur is warmest if you’re buying for real cold.

Men’s fur coat styles: bomber, stroller, or full-length?

Silhouette matters more than most men expect — it’s the difference between a coat that gets worn constantly and one that stays in the closet.

• Fur bomber jacket — the modern default, and the most-worn style we sell. Waist-length, easy over jeans or a hoodie, and far less formal than a long coat. If it’s your first fur, start here.
• Stroller — hip to mid-thigh. The versatile middle ground: enough coat to wear over a suit, short enough to drive, sit and move in. A men’s mink stroller is the workhorse of a fur wardrobe.
• Full-length coat — maximum warmth and maximum presence. This is the statement piece, best over tailoring and for men comfortable being looked at.
• Fur vest — the layering option. Works under an overcoat or over a knit, and the easiest entry point for a man unsure about full fur. See fur vests.

How should a men’s fur coat fit?

Fur is cut differently from cloth, and a good furrier fits it differently too. The shoulder should sit clean with no pull — that’s the one thing that can’t be easily altered. Allow room to layer a jacket or knit underneath; a fur worn over a suit needs more through the chest than one worn over a t-shirt. Sleeves should end at the wrist bone, and the coat should hang straight without flaring when it’s closed. Almost everything else — length, sleeves, the fit through the body — can be adjusted by a furrier, so buy for the shoulders and have the rest tailored.

What does a men’s fur coat cost?

Price is driven by four things: the fur itself (sable and chinchilla sit at the top, mink in the middle, fox and rex more accessible), the quality and matching of the pelts, the amount of workmanship — a let-out coat takes far more labour than a skin-on-skin one — and the length. A full-length sable and a fox bomber are not remotely the same purchase. Because pelt quality and workmanship vary so widely, many fine pieces are offered on a consultation basis rather than a fixed price, which is also how you avoid overpaying for a name. Ask what grade the pelts are and how the coat is constructed — a real furrier will tell you plainly.

Buying a fur that lasts

A well-made men’s fur should last decades, and the difference between one that lasts fifteen years and one that lasts fifty is care and craftsmanship. Buy from a furrier with an in-house workroom, so the coat can be altered, restyled and repaired for life rather than shipped out. Have it cleaned and glazed each season and stored properly in the off-season — here’s how to store a fur coat. And if you inherit one, don’t assume it’s dated: a furrier can recut an old coat into a modern bomber or stroller for a fraction of buying new.

A fur house men have worn for 150 years

Men’s fur isn’t a sideline for us — it’s a specialty. Since 1870 we’ve dressed athletes, musicians and performers from our workroom in the fur district: Joe Namath’s Super Bowl coyote jacket, Tyson Fury’s full-length chinchilla, and pieces worn by Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Post Malone and Rick Ross among many others. That heritage shows in how our men’s pieces are cut — tailored for a masculine line, with collars, hoods and lengths chosen to flatter rather than overwhelm. It’s why a Kaufman fur reads as confident, never costume.

Where to start

Browse the full men’s fur collection — mink, chinchilla, sable, fox and lynx in bombers, strollers, jackets and full-length coats. Fur has to be tried on to be understood, so the best first step is to visit our showroom at 212 West 30th Street in New York and feel the difference between grades in person. Or get in touch and we’ll help you find the right piece — including custom and made-to-order, sized to you.

A winter wedding gives you snow on the steps, candlelight inside and a cold walk between the two. The dress was not made for the cold, and a good winter wedding fur is how you wear it outdoors without a borrowed coat over the top.

This guide covers the four shapes brides ask us for, how to match one to your gown, and how to see it on yourself before a fitting.

Why Fur Belongs at a Winter Wedding

A gown is built to be seen, not to keep you warm. Fur insulates without bulk, so the shoulders stay warm through outdoor photographs and the send-off while the bodice and neckline stay in view. It photographs beautifully too: white fur catches light in a way a wool coat never does, which is why so many of our brides choose a piece from the Wedding Furs collection for the photographs alone.

Choosing Your Bridal Fur: Stoles, Capes and Shrugs

Which piece suits you depends on the neckline, how much coverage you want, and whether you will be outside for long. The four we are asked for most are below, each with real pieces from the collection.

Bridal Fur Stoles and Wraps

A stole is a straight band of fur worn across the shoulders or over the arms; a wrap is the same idea, cut wider. It is the classic choice for strapless and off-the-shoulder gowns, because it frames the neckline instead of hiding it. A bridal fur stole in white mink is quiet and sleek; white fox gives more volume.

Fur Capes and Capelets

A cape falls over the shoulders and down the back; a capelet is the short version, ending at the elbow or above. For a cathedral-length train or a grand venue, a fur cape for a wedding adds a line from the shoulders down that a stole cannot. Rex rabbit is the lightest fur for it, sheared so short it feels like velvet.

Shrugs, Jackets and a Coat for the Send-Off

A shrug or bolero is a cropped piece that covers the shoulders and upper arms, for sleeveless and spaghetti-strap gowns. It is the warmest of the wedding fur cover-ups and the easiest to wear all evening. For a long outdoor send-off, a full-length white mink coat over the dress is the answer nobody regrets.

Matching Your Fur to Your Dress

White, ivory and champagne tones suit almost every gown, and our furriers can match a piece to the dress, so bring a swatch to the fitting. Pure white suits a pure white gown; a warmer ivory sits better against ivory or blush. Our white mink pieces show how much the shades vary.

For a winter bridal party, colour works well: matching capelets for the bridesmaids in the wedding palette, or a deep red or black for a December evening. Most pieces in the capes and knits collection come in several colours.

See It on Yourself Before the Fitting

Our virtual fur try-on puts any piece from the site onto a photograph of you. Upload one taken straight on, in good light, and the stole, capelet or shrug appears on your own shoulders. It is free, needs no account, and gives three tries a day; verify your email and the daily limit goes.

The styler can also change the background to a winter wedding scene, so you see the piece in the setting it was chosen for, not on a plain wall. Every picture keeps a small credit line at the bottom. It shows how a piece suits you; colour and fit are settled at the fitting.

Real Fur or Faux on the Day?

Faux fur is cheap and everywhere, and for one cold afternoon it can look fine. The difference shows up close: real fur moves, catches light and keeps you warm, where most faux is plastic and warms nobody. We wrote up the full comparison if you are weighing it.

A real stole is also an heirloom. Stored properly it lasts decades and is often worn by the next bride in the family, where faux ends up in a landfill within a few years; our post on the landfill legacy of fake fur covers why.

Buy, Rent or Custom-Make

Not sure you will wear it again? We offer bridal fur rentals alongside pieces to keep. For something nobody else has, we make one to your measurements in our New York workroom, in the fur and colour of your choice, cut to sit right over your gown. Allow time for a fitting before the date.

After the wedding, the piece needs cold, dark storage between winters. We store and clean furs every summer, so it looks the same the next time it comes out.

Wedding Fur Questions

What is the best fur for a winter wedding?

White mink reads sleek and quiet, white fox gives volume and softness, and rex rabbit is the lightest and most affordable. The right one depends on the neckline of the gown and how long you will be outside. See the bridal pieces.

Can I rent a fur for my wedding day?

Yes. If you would rather not keep it, we rent bridal furs as well as selling them, and we can make one to your measurements if nothing fits the gown. How fur rental works.

How do I keep warm in a strapless wedding dress?

A stole or wrap covers the shoulders and leaves the gown in view; a capelet adds a line down the back; a shrug or bolero covers the upper arms as well. All three come off in a second for the first dance. Capes and capelets.

What do I do with the fur after the wedding?

Store it in cold, dark storage between winters and it will look the same at your daughter’s wedding. Never keep it in plastic or a hot closet. How to store fur.

Every piece is made and fitted in our New York workroom. Shop the Wedding Furs collection or try one on your own photo first.

Not all fur is created equal. A handful of furs sit at the very top of the market, commanding prices that reflect their rarity, the difficulty of working them, and centuries of prestige. Here are the most expensive furs in the world — and what makes each one worth it.

1. Russian sable — the king of furs

Russian sable has been the most coveted fur for centuries, once reserved for royalty. Its guard hairs are so silky the fur feels like liquid, it’s feather-light, and it has a unique quality: it runs smoothly in every direction. Wild Russian sable, especially with a silver cast, is the single most expensive fur you can buy. Explore sable coats and jackets.

2. Chinchilla — the softest fur on earth

Chinchilla has the highest hair density of any land animal — around 60 hairs from every follicle — which gives it an almost impossibly soft, cloud-like feel. The pelts are tiny and the shading (silver to slate) must be matched by hand, so a full chinchilla coat represents enormous skill and cost. See our chinchilla collection.

3. Lynx — rare and unmistakable

Fine lynx, with its creamy fields and soft charcoal spotting, is prized for a pattern no two pelts share — and it grows scarcer every year, which keeps prices high. Explore lynx coats and jackets.

Where mink and fox fit

Mink and fox are the most popular fine furs precisely because they offer luxury at a more attainable price than sable or chinchilla — mink for its durability and timelessness, fox for its drama and color. They’re where most collectors begin.

Buying at the top of the market

The rarest furs are also the ones you should never buy without expert eyes — quality varies enormously, and matching and workmanship make all the difference. Marc Kaufman Furs has sourced and crafted the world’s finest furs in New York City since 1870. Contact us or visit our showroom to see them in person.

A fur coat is an investment that can last decades — but only if it’s stored properly. More furs are ruined by bad storage than by wear. Here’s how to protect yours, what to avoid at home, and why professional cold storage exists.

What damages fur

Fur has four enemies: heat (which dries out the leather backing and makes it crack), light (which fades and oxidizes the color), moisture and humidity (which breed mold and mat the fur), and moths and pests (which feed on the hair). A typical home closet exposes fur to most of these year-round.

Why your closet isn’t enough

Storing fur in a home closet — especially over the warm months — is the most common mistake. Room temperature is far too warm, the air is too dry or too humid, and garment bags trap moisture against the pelts. Cedar and mothballs don’t solve the underlying temperature and humidity problem. A fur left in a closet all summer can lose years of life in a single season.

Professional cold storage

Proper fur storage means a climate-controlled vault held at around 45–55°F with controlled humidity — cold enough to slow the natural breakdown of the leather and stop pests, humid enough to keep the pelts supple. This is what a furrier’s storage facility provides, and it’s why fur owners store their coats professionally every off-season rather than at home.

Between seasons and day to day

When your fur is in use, hang it on a broad, padded hanger with room to breathe — never in a plastic bag, and never crushed between other clothes. Keep it away from radiators, direct sun, and perfume. And have it professionally cleaned and glazed once a year to remove oils and restore luster.

Store your fur with specialists

Marc Kaufman Furs has provided professional fur cleaning, glazing, repair, and cold storage in New York City since 1870 — for our own furs and for any fur you own. Learn more about our fur storage, cleaning, and repair services, or contact us to arrange off-season storage.

All fur is warm — that’s the point — but some furs are dramatically warmer than others, and the “warmest” one depends on what you’re dressing for. Here’s how the major furs actually compare when the temperature drops, from a furrier who’s fitted New Yorkers for more than 150 winters.

How fur keeps you warm

A fur’s warmth comes from two layers: the dense, soft underfur that traps body heat, and the longer guard hairs that shield against wind and moisture. Furs with thick underfur are warm; furs with both thick underfur and long guard hairs are the warmest of all.

The warmest furs, ranked

Fox tops the list for sheer cold protection — long guard hairs over dense underfur trap a deep cushion of air, ideal for standing outdoors in wind and snow. The trade-off is a fuller, more voluminous silhouette. Explore fox coats and jackets.

Raccoon and other long-haired furs deliver similar deep warmth for the coldest, most exposed conditions, with a rugged, textured look.

Mink offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio: its dense underfur keeps you warm in a lightweight, sleek coat that’s comfortable for everyday city winters — which is why it’s the fur most people actually live in. Explore mink coats.

Chinchilla and sable are remarkably warm for their weight thanks to extraordinary hair density — chinchilla has the densest fur of any land animal — though both are luxury furs treated with more care than everyday wear. See our chinchilla collection.

So which is warmest?

For extreme, windy cold, fox wins on sheer insulation. For the best balance of warmth, weight, and everyday wearability, mink is hard to beat. For warmth that also happens to be the softest luxury on earth, chinchilla. Not sure which suits your winters? Contact us or visit our NYC showroom and we’ll help you choose.